- This page contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
New Jersey (18-14-1) at Vegas (16-6-9)
- When: Dec 17 2025, 10:00 PM
- Where: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV, USA
- TV: TNT
New Jersey vs Vegas NHL Preview & Pick
Moneyline: Vegas -185
Spread: Vegas -1.5 (+142)
Total: 5.5
Vegas Golden Knights Breakdown
Vegas returns home feeling like a team that just raided the Eastern Conference and left with souvenirs. The Golden Knights went on a five game road trip, grabbed nine points, and barely broke a sweat doing it. Defense traveled. Goaltending showed up. Opponents mostly looked confused. When Vegas locks in defensively, games turn into long frustrating evenings for whoever is unlucky enough to be on the other bench.
This group has quietly become one of the most annoying teams in hockey to play against. They do not panic. They do not chase. They do not open things up unless they want to. If the game needs to be tight, they clamp down. If the game needs a timely goal, someone random like a defenseman decides tonight is his night.
From a betting perspective, Vegas sitting as a moneyline favorite at minus one eighty five makes sense. They are rolling, they are rested, and they are back home even if it feels like a pit stop before hitting the road again. The total at five point five fits the Knights style perfectly. They are happy winning games by suffocation.
New Jersey Devils Breakdown
New Jersey arrives in Vegas with bags packed for a quick western swing and a playoff race that feels like rush hour traffic. The Devils are hovering just outside the postseason picture and every point matters. They have shown flashes of strong play, but consistency has been elusive, especially offensively.
There is some good news though. A key defender returns, bringing stability and experience to a blue line that has been patched together like a bad group project. The Devils will need that presence immediately because Vegas has already shut them out once this season, and nobody forgets being embarrassed on home ice.
New Jersey knows this is not the place to trade chances. If they try to open things up, this could get ugly fast. Their best hope is to slow the game down, stay disciplined, and pray their special teams show up like they brought snacks.
How This Game Likely Plays Out
Expect a structured start with both teams feeling things out. Vegas will patiently wait for New Jersey to blink. Eventually someone does. That is usually how it goes. Once Vegas gets a lead, the game turns into a defensive maze where exits are hard to find and frustration piles up.
With Vegas favored and the total sitting low, this feels like a methodical win rather than a shootout circus. New Jersey may keep it close for stretches, but Vegas has been too sharp defensively to ignore.
Score Prediction: Golden Knights 3, Devils 2
Pick: Vegas (-185)
Total: Under 5.5 (-112)
- NHL Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
